A dangling modifier can be either a word or phrase that modifies a word not clearly stated in the sentence. On the other hand, a pure modifier clearly describes a word or phrase.

Consider this sentence:

• Having finished washing the dishes, Jane turned on the computer.

"Having finished washing" states an action. However, note that it does not state the doer of that action. In English sentences, the doer must be the subject of the main clause that follows. In this sentence, it is Jane who is doing the action ("having finished washing"), and this sentence therefore does not have a dangling modifier.

Consider this sentence:

• Having finished washing the dishes, the computer is turned on.

Note that in this example, the computer is the subject of the main clause. However, computers do not wash dishes. Since the doer of the action has not been clearly stated, the phrase "having finished washing the dishes" is a dangling modifier.

Other examples of dangling modifiers:

• After a thorough research in the library, the answer is found.

The answer (the subject of the main clause) does not do the research.

• (Revised) After a thorough research in the library, we finally found the answer.

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Here are some ways to avoid using dangling modifiers in our sentences:

• Being late for work, an explanation is required.

Who requires an explanation? This sentence simply means that the explanation is late for work!

• (Revised) Being late for work, Peter has to give an explanation to his boss.

The subject Peter is now the subject of the main clause. Peter is late for work and needs to give an explanation to his boss.

• Without reading the book, it is difficult to pass the exam.

This sentence says that "it" does not read the book. But who is not reading the book?

• (Revised) Because Jane does not read the book, it is difficult to pass the exam.

In this case, we know that Jane does not read the book.

• To improve his results, the experiment is done again.

This sentence says that the experiment is trying to improve its own results. Is it logical?

• (Revised) He improves his results by doing the experiment again.

We simply combine the phrase and the main clause into one sentence.